Issue date
Time is running out to nominate your club's top performers for the 2025 Barfoot & Thompson Yachting Excellence Awards - the much-anticipated annual celebration of New Zealand's top sailing achievements, both on and off the water.
This year's event takes place at the Royal New Zealand Yacht Squadron on Friday, 28 November and will once again honour the best the country has to offer - recognising excellence in sailing performance, officiating, coaching, sustainability, sportsmanship, leadership and community service.
Nominations close at 5 pm on Monday, 15 September, with the following award categories recognised:
- Sailor of the Year Award for the Sir Bernard Fergusson Trophy
- Barfoot & Thompson Male Sailor of the Year Award
- Barfoot & Thompson Female Sailor of the Year Award
- NZL Sailing Foundation Young Male Sailor of the Year Award
- NZL Sailing Foundation Young Female Sailor of the Year Award
- Performance Coach of the Year
- Yachting New Zealand Emerging Coach of the Year
- Millennium Hotels Official of the Year
- Emerging Talent Award
- Outstanding Contribution Award
- MAST Academy Young Leadership Award
- Sportsmanship Award
- Evocean Sustainability Award
- Yamaha Motor NZ Service Awards
- Performance Awards
- Appliances Online Youth Performance Awards
- Kiwi Yachting & Baltic Lifejackets Cruising Awards .
"New Zealand has remained at the front of international sailing fleets across many classes over the last year and continues to set the pace in other areas of the sport too," said Yachting New Zealand interim chief executive Raynor Haagh. "The Barfoot & Thompson Excellence Awards is a highlight of our sailing calendar; an opportunity to celebrate our successes and acknowledge the people who make our sport great."
The eligibility period spans the 12 months ending August 31, 2025 and includes Emirates Team New Zealand's historic America's Cup three-peat and their women's team's debut appearance in Barcelona.
Last year's awards recognised 49er Olympic silver medallists Isaac McHardie and William McKenzie with the Sir Bernard Fergusson Trophy for Orbit World Travel Sailor of the Year. Micah Wilkinson and Erica Dawson were named Barfoot & Thompson Male and Female Sailors of the Year respectively.
"Our sport remains strong despite many challenges," Haagh added. "This is a testament to the tireless work of our volunteers and club communities. As clubs reflect on the past year at their AGMs, now is the perfect time to ensure those who went above and beyond are appropriately recognised."
For category details and to nominate, click here. For further information, contact Angela Jordan at angela@yachtingnz.org.nz.
For a list of all previous award recipients, take a look at our Roll of Honour.
